AELP manifesto calls for government to invest more in young people

“It is vital that scarce government funds are rigorously targeted on apprenticeships”

The Association of Employment and Learning Providers (AELP) has launched a manifesto calling for the government to invest more in young people to boost the economy.

The key points of action included targeting youth unemployment by creating valuable work experience positions, aiming more resources at apprenticeships and traineeships, and preparing young people for employment by the time they leave school.

AELP chairman, Martin Dunford OBE, said: “It is vital that scarce government funds are rigorously targeted on apprenticeships and traineeships as the highest priority skills provision and that this targeted funding is properly made available to those providers with the demand from employers and best able to deliver successful outcomes.

“The level playing field necessary for this to happen is undoubtedly better balanced than in the past but we are still not there yet. We cannot continue to have providers of any type underperforming – yet retaining funding – while others are unable to obtain the resources they need to meet the immediate demand from employers, potential apprentices and those needing a traineeship to avoid joining the unacceptably high cohort of ‘NEETs’.”